/Osterland, stock.adobe.com
Wiesbaden – Social welfare expenditure in Germany rose by 18 percent last year. In 2023, social welfare providers will spend a net 17.6 billion euros on services such as basic old-age security or care assistance, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced.
The largest share of social welfare expenditure, 57.2 percent, was earmarked for basic security in old age and in cases of reduced earning capacity. According to the Federal Ministry of Labor (BMAS) 10.1 billion euros. They increased by 14.5% compared to the previous year.
A total of around 1.6 billion euros were earmarked for healthcare support, overcoming particular social difficulties and assistance in other life situations, 17.9 percent more than the previous year.
The increase in social care expenditure is also partly due to the fact that in 2022, care expenditure fell sharply as a result of the care reform and therefore social care expenditure was lower overall. In 2023, care expenditure increased again, by more than 27%, to almost €4.5 billion.
€25.4 billion was spent on integration assistance services, which include housing and leisure support, as well as special education services. This was €9.4 billion more than the previous year. © afp/aerzteblatt.de